Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist  

We are seeking a full-time, classified Communications Specialist to represent the City of Grand Forks as a chief story teller by assisting in the organization, coordination and planning of city communications. Major components of this position will consist of managing the City’s digital image including social media, city website, special events coordination, first contact for residents, assisting internal departments and overall promotion of the city.  Position requires strong writing and communication skills, an Bachelor’s degree with major course work in communication, marketing, public relations or journalism and three years of increasingly responsible communications, public relations, television broadcasting or journalism experience and a valid driver’s license. EEO Employer.

DEFINITION

To provide Grand Forks residents and City departments with excellent communication tools, expertise and strategies that enhance city services, foster community connection and promote the positive image of the City of Grand Forks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

                Receives supervision from the Community/Government Relations Officer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Represent the City of Grand Forks as a chief story teller by assisting in the organization, coordination and planning of city communications.

    

2. Support the goals and objectives of the Mayor, City Council and other City departments; direct questions to appropriate departments; research information from professional and technical sources including other City departments and other entities.

    

3. Develop, recommend and implement new communication methods to better achieve City goals, including fostering the organization’s values and marketing City services to residents, community groups and other external organizations.

    

4. Receive telephone calls from the public, attend to walk-in requests, mail and e-mail requests and internal requests on a wide variety of City-wide programs and projects; gather statistical data; respond in a timely manner to requests, questions and complaints.

    

5. Manage and monitor the city’s branding, including rebranding efforts to keep the city’s image current, relevant and consistent in communication.

    

6. Assist in the production of the live broadcast and rebroadcast of the City of Grand Forks meetings over cable access television system.

    

7. Coordinate Special Events and facilitate communication between event planners and City department to ensure safe and successful events, both for the organizers and the community; encourage opportunities to promote a culture that fosters creation and development of special events.

    

8. Manage and execute digital media and related communication strategies including the application of data analytics methods in order to evaluate effectiveness.

    

9. Represents the City on inter-jurisdictional communication work groups and task forces.

    

10. Support the development and maintenance of the official City web site and is the point of contact with the contracted consultant.Work with Information Technology staff on other electronic communication services for the City of Grand Forks.

     

11. Assist City departments in developing communication and marketing strategies for events, services, and other public information; provide technical support and training on communication related functions to City departments.

     

12. Act as Public Information Officer, including during Emergency Operations Center activations; serve as communications staff; act as spokesperson, as directed.

     

13. Coordinate, develop and implement various public relations events, special observances and celebrations; design promotional materials and advertising campaigns.

     

14. Maintain historical reference by filing published material.

     

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: City government operations and organization; operations, policies and services of the Mayor’s Office; principles and practices of public relations; multi-media, multifaceted community orientated communication strategies and techniques; computer technology and television broadcasting principles and practices; modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and e-mail.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Abilities: Coordinate, organize and execute various projects; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals and projects; participate in the City of Grand Forks’ goals, objectives and procedures; prioritize, organize and perform work independently and under pressure; effectively plan, coordinate, organize, schedule and prioritize division activities, functions and assignments; implement community relations and public relations projects and programs; research, prepare and deliver public speeches and other presentations to organizations; prepare clear and concise project reports; interpret and explain City policies and procedures; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Learn and use new communications-related strategies, platforms, and software.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible communications, public relations, television broadcasting, or journalism experience.

Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major

course work in communication, marketing, public relations or journalism.

License or Certificate

 Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental and Physical Conditions

Office environment; works with computers; traveling to different sites as required; Essential functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time.